State management in religious affairs reviewed

Hanoi (VNA) – The
year 2016 has seen many religious events held across the country, attracting
large numbers of followers and visitors, and religious organisations have
actively joined in charity and humanitarian work to help natural disaster
victims, it was reported at a conference on State management of religious
affairs in Hanoi on December 28.

Vice Chairman of the Government
Committee for Religious Affairs Bui Thanh Ha said authorities at all levels took
care to attend and convey congratulations to all major religious conferences
and ceremonies, which reflected the consistent policy of the Party and State on
respecting and ensuring the right to religious and belief freedom.

The State has facilitated the
construction, repair and upgrade of religious training and worship
establishments.

Ha emphasized that the majority
of religious dignitaries and followers back the Party and State’s internal and
external affairs, and religious followers actively join patriotic emulation
movements, contributing to socio-political stability and economic growth, while
the relationship between the State, all-level authorities and religious
organisations has grown closer.

The Government Committee for
Religious Affairs has maintained ties with counterpart agencies in Southeast
Asia, the US and several western countries, as well as boosted ties with the
Vatican during the year.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs
Nguyen Trong Thua, however, admitted that collaboration among sectors in the
settlement of complex religious issues remains loose.

He asked the committee to play an
active role in the process of drafting two governmental decrees guiding the
enforcement of the Law on Belief and Religion, which is slated to take effect
on January 1, 2018.

Deputy Minister of Public
Security Pham Dung, for his part, suggested the Government Committee for
Religious Affairs put forward short, mid and long-term policies on State
management in religious affairs as well as advise the Party and State on the
field.-VNA